Soul music

Thursday

Oct 11, 2012 at 2:00 AM

Joss Stone is something of a marvel in the world of music.

Christopher Hislop

Joss Stone is something of a marvel in the world of music.

The sultry soul-singer with the wave-worn gravelly voice began the development of her signature pipes by singing along to an Aretha Franklin "Greatest Hits" compilation — one of her musical idols, and the first compact disc she ever owned. She was 10 years old.

At 15 she released her first album, "Soul Sessions," a collection of cover tunes, and took the world by storm with the first single off that record, "Fell in Love with a Boy," a reworking of the White Stripes classic, "Fell in Love with a Girl." Fifteen. That album went on to sell in excess of 2 million copies. No small feat for a gal who wasn't even old enough to get her driver's license.

Since then, Stone has gone on to release five more albums of her own original material, as well as another with the group SuperHeavy, which features a dual vocal attack consisting of her and the Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger. She is a Grammy winner, and one of the most successful artists of her generation, selling in excess of 13 million copies of her recording — no small feat for a musician working in the digital age.

Now 25 — a decade removed from her "Soul Sessions" debut, Stone is touring in support of her latest release, "Soul Sessions Vol. 2" — a return to her cover-tune roots, released on her own, newly established Stone'd Records. She'll make a stop at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Friday, Oct. 12. To say she's accomplished a lot thus far in her young life is about as much of an understatement as one can make.

"I've never really had another life," said the bubbly and introspective Stone in a recent phone interview. "I wonder what it would be like to go through school (she quit school at the age of 16), get a job, fall into a routine, etc. But this is who and what I am. I've always gravitated towards music. Some people are just wired this way. I can't be rooted in any routine. Part of me getting away from labels and forming my own was so I could be my own boss. I needed to break away. I love to collaborate, and not feel stuck. When I feel stuck I get very uncomfortable, so I needed a change. I told myself I will not be stuck, and I've sort of lived to the tune of that philosophy whole-heartedly. Stagnation is not an option."

It seems Stone has always lived her life gauging her moves based by oncoming and fleeting emotions. She's the epitome of "free spirit" that tries to pull people in to her music and get them to open up and listen with the entirety of their beings.

"I hope and want you to feel you listen," said Stone. "To listen to the stories, and really connect with what me, or any other author or singer is saying. I don't want my music or any music to simply wash over you. I want you to feel deep happiness, or a deep sadness, or anything really. As long as you're feeling, and you can connect with it on an emotional level ...; that's what music is for, especially soul music, that's exactly what soul music is for."

Stone enjoys reminiscing about the last decade; she enjoys chatting about the extreme roller coaster ride she's been on that has led her into adulthood. Normalcy, she claims, if there is such a thing, is in chasing whatever presents itself naturally to you.

"My father once told my sister and I, 'girls, there aren't any real secrets in life. The long and short of it is; think about what you do best, and do it well,' Stone reflected. "So I said to him, 'Daddy, I think I want to be a doctor,' and my sister said, 'Daddy I think I want to try my hand at singing.' My father laughed and said, 'girls, play to your strengths.' He knew we had it backwards. I'll never forget that. Think about what you do best, and do it well."

Excited about the tour, and of her stop on the beach in Hampton, the approachable, and appreciative Stone urges fans to come out and join her in celebrating an evening of soul music, and of cultivating creativity.

"Come on by and let's have some fun," exclaimed Stone. "Let's have a sing-a-long. It's nice to be a part of new beginnings, and new movements, which is what we're doing with this new record, but it's also fun to celebrate the past. You'll hear bips and bops from the entirety of my career."

But don't expect Aretha Franklin to join her on stage any time soon.

"My two musical heroes are Aretha, and Lauryn Hill," Stone said. "I told myself I could go ahead and die if I sang with both of them. I've already had my moment with Lauryn, so I'm going to go ahead and say that Aretha isn't going to happen. I'm not ready to leave just yet (laughs)."

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